A Black OlIve, Night!!! And Why Dinner is Late!

I'll tell ya, why dinner is late!

 It's because of a can opener!

It's probably why, we have late suppers!

Mind you, it's only 7:30 pm...

and I could have grilled this, flank steak an hour ago...

but, and I say But!

I couldn't open a can of Olives!

I couldn't open anything with my can opener!

If there are no black olives to eat with the flank steak...

Well, no one eats!

Which, brings me to, # 1!

# 1, refers to my first Grandson.

Wesley!

His Mom, used to be # 1...Ha!

(Summer Photo)

Wesley, likes, black olives! He always has.

Maybe it was because I'd put the olives on my fingers...!

When he was little! 

Always, teaching bad habits!

You could open a can of them, and he'd have them 

eaten in a flash...don't count on adding them to your condiment plate!

Just saying!

My Can opener wouldn't cut tonight!

I am not, advertising California Olives, though they are the best in

my opinion.

(I'd love to get a case of them)!

I, was cursing... how did they open cans in the 1800s?

I remember my husband showing me a can opener

he was issued in the army...Gawd how primitive...like using a knife and a hammer!

He still has it, but it would take a day and 1/2 for him to find it.

Really, I can use a regular can opener... and I did!

and don't ya think it looks like a star?

Well, kinda'!

but you can't tell by my photos!

I am Starving!

..I was going to slice this flank steak 

and wrap it in  a corn tortilla with cheese and 

onions and peppers...?

Looks like I only have 5 tortillas left!

Some one isn't getting seconds tonight!

But I will!

Because I'm the cook!

yum!!! but no guacamole!!!

sliced avocado, lime, salt and pepper...and don't open that jar of hot peppers!!!

Okay, Kids...

Soups On!!!

I was in the mood for Chinese Noodle Soup!

But of course, I didn't have all the traditional ingredients,

but really, that's the beauty of soup, you make it up as you go!

I simmered one thigh in 3 cups of water, with salt and pepper.

I took the thigh out to cool, and added cabbage, carrots, a 

bit of thyme and mushrooms. But the kicker...peanut sauce!

I had two turkey thighs, one for soup and one to bake!

I marinated the baked thigh in olive oil, fresh garlic, thyme and lime juice.

I left the skin on...I know, I know!

It cooked slow, and as the skin got crispy, I added a 1/2 cup of water,

to braise the pan, then I added portabella mushrooms!

Oh Yum!!!!

Here's to a Great New Year! 

What's Cooking...

This was, last night!

Linguini and Clam Sauce!

I didn't have linguini so I had to use

Spaghetti, not the same but still good.

I start with olive oil and fresh chopped garlic,

and cook over low heat til the garlic starts to infuse

with the oil.

Then I add about a tablespoon of butter.

(the real stuff).

As the butter starts to melt I add fresh copped parsley,

not much, again, enough to meld the flavors together.

This is the base, I use.

Then just open a can of chopped clams, juice and all,

and dump it in the mix of garlic and oil.

Depending on how much sauce you want you can add

a bottle of clam juice...makes more, in case someone 

happens to stay for dinner! 

I let this simmer for about 1/2hr. and add grated Romano cheese

and let that simmer down, on low heat,

I start cooking the pasta...you can also add the water from the pasta

to the sauce, again, this melds flavors.

Sometimes I add hot pepper flakes, most of the time not.

Fill the bowl with pasta, 

add a little salt and pepper,

grated cheese and parsley,

and you're ready to eat.

 Oh, and maybe a glass of wine!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Do ya remember the dresser and chair I showed in a previous post?

this is the finished piece.  It was black, and I liked it black,

but the customer wanted white. 

and the finished chair.

You can get an idea, of the room she's going for.

I don't have photos of the foot stool, but it matches the chair.

I made the sign for her after she saw the one I have hanging outside,

so this customer was a happy camper, when she picked everything up,

and she fit it all in the back of her SUV!

I've got tons to do!

Be well!

Diamonds in the Rough!

But Treasures To me!

A few weeks ago, I was driving home from my daughters

house and spotted and old beat up wicker rocker on the

side of the road.  Now I knew the rocker was garbage,

but this, I was after.

I know, it's not a diamond, but it is to me!

Then the sewing machine, I've had it for years, but

it was just stored away, passed around,used

for an entry table, moved from one spot to another, 

because it was, well just in the way, so I started taking it apart,

I could use the iron legs for something else...!

It still has the thread in it, old and dusty.

Yet beautiful in it's passing stage!

How many dresses were stitched with this needle?

It's a diamond to me!

Then I was driving by one of the local second hand shops, and

spotted this in the window!

I wanted it!

I walked in and checked it out.

It was heavy and solid...it was an Ethan Allen piece,

and I figured I'd be paying a hefty price.

$50.00!

Mine!

Just because a brick landed on it during a tornado, so what!

The crack doesn't go through the seat all the way, and anyway, 

I could fix it, 

it's a diamond in the rough!

Now I'm going to make some cushions,

and live happily ever after.

Yes I am!

It's time for Wine, because...

of  this!

it's only a little mess, and I knew it would be,

because, we, Mr. Honey and I, live in

an old house. 

When we first bought it, I ripped the kitchen walls 

off...plaster and lathe, and insulated. 

Now it's been awhile, but I remember the two by fours had 

horizontal 2x4s staggered up between the beam, (back then,... I was told,

 fire wall safety.)

 Well, now that Mr. Honey,

decided to install a light fixture to light up the steps outside,

(which we needed), all hell broke loose.

An Electrician by trade, (oh yes, Union labor) and he knows what he's doing,

he casually asks, "do you remember where the cross beams are?"

Well hell, Richard, that's been what?  15 years?

I know what the drill is when an electrician has to run cable. 

He complicates things by trying to find the beams.

Just cut a hole in the wall and look!

Really what's the big deal, you know your grunt worker will

follow behind and do the clean up!

(that would be me)!

And since I don't mind patching drywall, (to me it's like icing a cake or sculpting!)

I have to tell him to go ahead, like he needs my permission, he was going to

do it anyway!

Hole # 5, you don't see the ones

at the floor!

(not counting  the little holes from poking the

awl  into the wall at various points)!

really, this stuff doesn't bother me,

I live with the Electrician!

And honestly, I'd rather keep him off a ladder,

because he moans and groans so much afterwards.

Oh, okay, about the Wine?

It was greatly appreciated.

I Don't know...

I think it's that time of season,

you want change, but can't afford change!

It's that...I don't know!

Maybe it's hormones!

But, today, I was inspired to cook!

Well, I always cook!
But I was inspired, because, 
Lulu, of Coastal Sisters,
doesn't cook!!!!!
And it just made me giggle!

I'm always cooking, mostly out of necessity!
And for the fact, I want flavor!
I hardly ever cook the same meal twice!
I like, concoctions! I like to experiment!
I love fresh herbs and garlic, sauteed in olive oil...love,love love!
What's for Dinner tonight?
It was this!

Filet of Mignon,  oh yeah!
Managers special!
While most shoppers steer away from speicals!
I head for them. Especiallly the beef!
In my opion, it's the best!
It's already aged, which means it's READY!
It's less time spent marinating at room temperture!
Just salt, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil, and it's ready for the 
grill!  Yes, I even started the grill tonight!
6 minutes on each side, take it off, let it rest for....when ever I'm ready to
finsih the sides, and here we go!

Medium rare! Just the way I like'm!
If you can't cut it...like butter, then toss it!
Yum!
Melts in your mouth!
If it doesn't look appetizing then it's not ediable!
Garlic and  olive oil, pan sauteed asspargus!
Mashed new potatoes,

Oh yeah, baby!
This was, what I had for Dinner tonight!!!
See, Lulu,
not everything, burns the kitchen down!!!



What's for  desert?

The Season of...

Abundance!

 has arrived on,

Pearl Avenue, and with it,

the blessing of my little darling!

A little over a week old, and he makes my heart sing!

 Abundance comes to us in many ways!

Little Baby Mac,

(aka, Bradley.)

Sweet little one...the abundance of Love!

Shhh! he's dreaming right now!

I could look upon this face forever!

Little loves,

the abundance of all!